Air France, Lufthansa on Alitalia Bidder List

Alitalia’s financial adviser has drawn up a shortlist of five potential bidders interested in the struggling Italian carrier that includes rivals Air France and Lufthansa, financial sources said.

Smaller Italian carrier Air One and private equity group TPG –both of which participated in the Alitalia auction that collapsed in July- are also on the shortlist, which will be presented at a Monday Alitalia board meeting, the sources said.

Alitalia’s adviser, Citigroup, was tasked with contacting all potential suitors for the airline by the end of September as part of the carrier’s renewed attempt to find a buyer for Rome’s controlling 49.9 percent stake.

Long-time commercial partner Air France was once seen as Alitalia’s most likely buyer, but snubbed the failed auction and denied any interest in the Italian airline until it turned itself around. However, it has softened its tone recently, saying it would listen if approached by the Italians.